Courtesy Photo: Gospel Powerhouse Kierra Sheard shares the Personal Trials that Transformed Pressure into Purpose with Gospel Sensation Kirk Franklin Kierra Sheard: Finding Her Voice Beyond Legacy, Loss, and the Weight of Expectation There are names that carry history. And then there are names that carry expectation. For Kierra Sheard, both have walked hand in hand since the very beginning. Born into gospel royalty as the daughter of Karen Clark Sheard and niece to the legen

Courtesy Photo: Verna Dorsey Holly she built a life grounded in love and legacy, raising three children while shaping countless others through her work. There are some names that don’t just belong to a person, they belong to a sound, a spirit, a movement. Verna Dorsey Holley is one of those names. Born on April 29, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, Holley’s life has been a living composition, one that blends discipline, faith, culture, and the unmistakable power of music. Long befo

Photo Credit:📸: Craig Jones-LCC Theatre Program presents 1984 by George Orwell, directed by Paige Tufford. Featuring Jason Durr (Winston), Beck Murphy (Julia), and Samuel Barrix (W2), this bold adaptation explores truth, power, and the cost of love in a controlled society. LANSING, Mich., March 27, 2026, LCC Performing Arts presents 1984  by George Orwell. Adapted for the stage by Nick Hern. Winston Smith is in prison, found guilty of Thoughtcrimes against Big Brother. As pa

Courtesy Photo:Jonathan McReynolds. Anchored in transparency, brilliant songwriting, and emotional maturity, Closer reflects where Jonathan is today—spiritually, creatively, and purposefully. Nashville, TN) - March 27, 2026 - GRAMMY, Dove, & Stellar Award-winning gospel singer/songwriter, Jonathan McReynolds releases a brand new album today, Closer (Live in Chicago) . Recorded live in his hometown of Chicago, the 13-track project captures the raw emotion, spiritual depth, an

There are some words that refuse to stay in the past. They rise. They echo. They return… right on time. This weekend, those words take center stage as Stage One at Sycamore Creek Eastwood presents a powerful staged reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, directed by 517’s own Melik Brown. Written from a jail cell in 1963, Dr. King’s letter was never meant to be comfortable. It was meant to confront. To challenge. To awaken. And decades later, it

Photo Credit: Getty Images — Jayne Kennedy at the news desk, breaking barriers as one of the first Black women in sports broadcasting and redefining what presence looked like on television. Before it became common to see women covering major sports, there was Jayne Kennedy. In the 1970s, Jayne Kennedy broke barriers as one of the first Black women in sports broadcasting, stepping into a male-dominated industry with confidence, intelligence, and undeniable presence. Photo Cred

Courtesy Photo:Erica Lynn, founder of The Village Lansing, is honored for her work in public health, community advocacy, and violence prevention in Women Making History 2026 Real leadership doesn’t always start with a title. Sometimes it starts with paying attention. For Erica Lynn, her work has always been rooted in community, long before it had a name. With over 22 years in public health, Erica has dedicated her career to understanding how environment, access, and lived exp

Courtesy Photo:Elyse Ribbons, founder of Chengdu Teahouse in Lansing, is honored for building community through culture, tea, and connection in Women Making History 2026. Sometimes reinvention is not a setback. It’s an invitation. After spending decades living and working in China, Elyse Ribbons returned to the United States with a decision to make: how do you begin again? Her answer was both simple and powerful, create space. In 2024, she opened Chengdu Teahouse in Lansing’s

Courtesy Photo: Kiara Dumas, founder of Kingdom Mind Design, is honored in Women Making History 2026 for empowering women through photography, faith, and personal transformation. Sometimes purpose doesn’t arrive all at once. It unfolds. For Kiara Dumas, that journey has been one of growth, faith, and transformation. After nearly nine years as a dispute specialist in the tech industry, Kiara made the bold decision to step into a new chapter, one rooted in creativity, healing

Courtesy Photo:Meet Candace Phillips, owner of CandyShoppe Hair Studio and CEO of CandeCollective, a beauty industry leader empowering women through entrepreneurship and mentorship. She uses her platform to uplift communities and inspire the next generation of women leaders. For Candace Phillips, beauty has never been just about hair and style. It has always been about confidence, culture, and helping people step into the best version of themselves. A Lansing native, Candace

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Shenika Hankerson, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, is a leading scholar in Black Language research. Meet Dr. Shenika Hankerson, a scholar, educator, and advocate whose work centers the power, identity, and cultural significance of Black language. A proud graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing, Dr. Hankerson has built a career at the intersection of scholarship, and community impact. Today

Courtesy Photo:Corean Canty, founder of Speak More Human and co-founder of Shift to Play, helps leaders and organizations strengthen communication, culture, and connection by empowering people to find and use their authentic voice. Some leaders build businesses. Others build movements in how people think, communicate, and show up in the world. For Corean Canty, leadership begins with one powerful idea: OUR VOICE MATTERS. A seasoned communications strategist, speaker, and peop

EP14 - Pop That! Occasionally the viral game show “Pop The Balloon” shows up in my feed. I’ll admit… it’s entertaining. But at the same time I can’t help but wonder: Who on earth would willingly subject themselves to humiliation just to be seen? Clearly… thousands. As the father of four beautiful daughters, these things hit differently. As they get older and conversations about dating start to happen, the discussions around character, respect, and social media become more imp

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Melody Angel, physician, entrepreneur, and founder of Full Well, whose second act reflects resilience, healing, and visionary leadership In 2012, Dr. Melody Angel lost her husband to suicide. She lost a 45-unit real estate portfolio. She faced bankruptcy in the aftermath of the housing collapse. Her daughter was seven years old. Many people survive seasons like that. Few decide to rise from them with intention. Dr. Melody Angel did not just rebuild. She too

Courtesy Photo: Sharon D. Rogers For more than four decades, Sharon D. Rogers has dedicated her life to strengthening children, families, and the very foundation of community. Her professional journey began in Kentucky, where she studied Home Economics with a specialization in Child Development at Murray State University . After graduating, she relocated to Lansing, Michigan, and began what would become a lifelong commitment to early childhood education and family engagement.

Photo Credit:The Chronicle Media Group-Representing the next generation of community storytellers, Liam Carter dives into hands-on learning at Impression 5. LANSING, Mich. — Creativity was in full force February 28 and March 1 as families gathered at Impression 5 Science Center for LEGO®Palooza 2026, the museum’s annual family-focused fundraiser. Presented by Impression 5 and supported by the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and T-Fiber, the two-day event transformed the Science

Photo Credit-The Chronicle Media Group-Generations aligned. My son Liam Carter is standing among men who model confidence, discipline, and care. This is what community mentorship looks like in action. Last weekend at the Lansing Mall, something shifted in the atmosphere. It wasn’t just a workshop. It wasn’t just photo ops in front of a branded backdrop. It was a room full of men choosing to rewrite narratives. Young men showed up for the 2026 Suited 4 Success Etiquette Worksh

By Chelsea Wooton Courtesy Photo-For 30 years, across 41 states and more than 1,000 venues, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim refused to wait for history to be told correctly. He put it on wheels and brought it directly to us through the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. Lansing, admission is free, but the truth you’ll encounter is priceless. Dr. Khalid el-Hakim didn’t wait for history to be told correctly. He put it on wheels and brought it to us. Lansing, admission is free. The truth is p

Courtesy Photo-Oluwaseun “Sean” Sipeolu, Founder of Jollof Afro-Caribbean Lounge, is building more than a restaurant in Downtown Lansing — he is creating a cultural home rooted in connection, ownership, and legacy. Some businesses sell products. Others create experiences. Oluwaseun “Sean” Sipeolu did not open Jollof Afro-Caribbean Lounge to simply serve food. He opened it to serve culture. Founded in 2025 in the heart of Downtown Lansing, Jollof Afro-Caribbean Lounge is more

For four decades, The Chronicle News has amplified voices, honored culture, and preserved the stories that shape our community. On Saturday, June 6, 2026, we invite you to celebrate this milestone at the Michigan Room at Lansing Community College. The 40th Anniversary Legacy Gala will be an unforgettable experience featuring a locally owned business showcase, a vibrant mix and mingle reception, live music and entertainment, a dinner experience, and keynote remarks from Judge